A BOROUGH wide Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy has been approved by Wokingham Borough Council.
The strategy outlines the councils commitment to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls and has been approved by the executive committee.
The public profile and awareness of violence against females has been raised in recent years by several well publicised murders.
The combination of these killings, at a time when statistics show rates of domestic abuse and the number of women requesting support following the Covid-19 pandemic has surged, has led to widespread calls for change.
Cllr Sarah Kerr, executive member for climate emergency and resident services said, “Crimes such as rape, stalking and harassment are taking place every day, as are digital crimes such as ‘cyber-flashing’, ‘revenge porn’ and ‘up-skirting’.
“They have a long-lasting impact on victims, including mental and physical health problems.
“Large number of women and girls have bad experiences at school, work, on buses and trains, on the street and at home and many feel that crimes such as sexual harassment are almost an inevitable part of being a woman.”
In July 2021, the Government published a VAWG strategy followed by a national statement of expectations in March 2022 to highlight crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls.
The council will use these as a framework for developing a Wokingham specific response to VAWG.
By analysing local data by VAWG crime type and exploring best practice, the council will develop a strategy which recognises the effect these crimes have on victims, survivors and their families, as well as on wider society.
“A Wokingham specific VAWG strategy will place the borough in a strong position to develop better processes to work in partnership with our communities,” said Cllr Kerr.
“The strategy will also focus on targeting prevention of VAWG through changing attitudes and behaviours.”
The council’s VAWG strategy will enable all stakeholders involved to be clear about the priorities over the next 10 years.
It will also aim for all residents to understand and feel able to contribute towards making Wokingham a safer place.
Victims and survivors should feel supported to seek help and the strategy will empower them to lead safe lives, away from abuse.
The council is keen for the strategy to enable all perpetrators to know their behaviour will not be tolerated and where they can seek support for abusive behaviour.
As part of its commitment to address violence against women and girls, the council is also pursuing White Ribbon accreditation.
White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls.
Their mission is to prevent violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes and their aim is to change long established and harmful attitudes and men’s violence against women.
How to get help
In a non-emergency, victims of domestic abuse can:
- Call 101 or make a report on the Thames Valley Police website
- Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247
- Contact Women’s Aid via: www.womensaid.org.uk
- Call the Men’s Advice Line: 0808 8010327
- Call Mankind, a helpline for male victims: 01823 334244
- Call Galop, for members of the LGBT+ community: 0800 999 5428
- Contact Victims First via: www.victims-first.org.uk
- Call Flag DV for free legal advice for Domestic Abuse: 0800 731 0055
- Call SAFE! For victims of crime aged 5 – 18: 0800 1337938
